Rifle River flooding forecast, Arenac County sheriff says no cause for concern

Graphic generated by the National Weather Service shows the area of a flood warning issued in Arenac County.

STERLING, MI –
Rising waters of the Rifle River near Sterling have the National Weather Service issuing a flood warning for the central portion
of Arenac County.

"Recent rainfall and continued warm weather will promote a
slow rise on the Rifle River through midweek," a Monday, April 7, statement from the National
Weather Service reads. The NWS advised individuals to stay tuned to media outlets and NOAA Weather Radio for more information

Arenac County Sheriff James Mosciski dismissed concerns about flooding in the area. He said he was aware of the warning, and that protocols are in place to deal with flooding if necessary.

"There's no
flooding going on," he said. "The Rifle's a little bit high, but nothing over
normal, and I don't foresee it getting any worse."

When asked what it would take for flooding to occur in
Arenac county, Mosciski said that "it would take an awful lot of rain."

No heavy rain was forecast for this week.

He added that local residents have no cause for concern at this time.

Flood stage at Sterling is 6 feet, the NWS says. The Rifle River was expected to rise to near 6.6 feet Tuesday morning, April 8. The river was expected to fall below flood stage by Thursday morning, April 10.

—Sam Easter is a general assignment reporter for The Bay
City Times. He can be reached at seaster@mlive.com.